KEFALONIA FOOD AND WINE TOUR
In recent years, food and wine tourism has gained a place of honour among the preferences of travellers from all over the world. This phenomenon, constantly growing, is fuelled by the growing awareness that food is a significant expression of the cultural identity of a place. Food and wine tourists are looking for authentic experiences, eager to taste typical dishes prepared with local ingredients and to discover the secrets of recipes handed down from generation to generation to savour not only the scents and aromas of a place, but also its culture. This sector is increasingly flourishing in Kefalonia too. Excellent raw materials, a fascinating mix of different cultures (primarily Venetian and Ottoman) and the blend of ancient traditional recipes and modern culinary concepts have given life to a wide and worth-trying food and wine panorama on the island. Among the main ingredients we find grilled or baked meat, goat cheese, garlic, cinnamon, tomato sauce, aromatic herbs such as oregano, marjoram, mint and fennel, honey and filo pastry. Are you ready to discover Kefalonia at the table? Here are our suggestions for a food and wine tour of the island to do independently or with a local guide:
NIGHTLIFE IN KEFALONIA, A MIX OF TRADITION AND MODERNITY
Does Kefalonia have a nightlife? Long-standing visitors of the island will be probably ready to answer that thank goodness no, “their” favourite island is not a place for discos and loud events. As a matter of fact, Kefalonia is not known for its nightlife, so don’t expect a Zakynthos, Corfu or Mykonos-style movida, but even here there are plenty of opportunities to have fun under the stars! For those who want to experience Greek summer evenings in a traditional way, there are countless typical taverns, panigiri (festivals) with music and dancing until late at night or musical events. For those looking for a more dynamic and cosmopolitan atmosphere, there are bars and clubs that in summer are very popular among locals and tourists from all over the world.
KEFALONIA BOTANICA
The Kefalonia Botanical Garden was founded in 1998 on the initiative of the Fokas - Cosmetatos Foundation and is located a short distance from the centre of Argostoli, near the industrial area, on a plot of land of about 10,000 square meters. Constantly expanding and developing, Kefalonia Botanica carries out the important task of conserving and promoting the wild and endemic plants of Kefalonia and is actively involved in the promotion of environmental issues that are becoming increasingly urgent over time. Although Greece has the richest and most varied flora in Europe, in fact, the country has very few botanical gardens and research centers. The Greek flora is also threatened by summer fires, urban development, overgrazing and tourism, so it is essential to raise public awareness of environmental issues and encourage the enhancement of local flora in the context of sustainable development.
SPORTS AND ADVENTURE IN KEFALONIA
With over 60 beaches, green forests and a beautiful geo park, Kefalonia is ideal for outdoor activities. Much of the island is covered with olive groves and hills perfect for hiking and mountain biking and the coast is dotted with cliffs and coves just waiting to be explored by kayak, SUP or with a snorkelling mask. The diverse natural landscape of the island invites you to relax but also to have fun with sports activities for all tastes, adrenaline-filled for the more adventurous, more calm and fun for families with children. We have selected for you 10 sports activities not to be missed in Kefalonia but we invite you to consult our website for offers and updated programmes for each season!
THE SONG OF THE SIRENS: A DAY IN ITHACA
"You must always keep Ithaca in mind - reaching it should be your constant thought. Above all, do not rush the journey; let it last a long time, for years, and let you set foot on the island as an old man, rich with treasures accumulated along the way without expecting riches. [...] And if you find it poor, Ithaca will not have disappointed you for this. By now wise, with all your experience on your back, you will have already understood what Ithaca means". Perhaps you have already read the verses of this wonderful poem in one of the many blogs dedicated to Greece. The journey to Ithaca recounted by Cavafis is not only a metaphor for the meaning of life but is also a description of Ithaca that can be fully understood only once you have landed on this piece of land as enchanting as the song of the sirens. Ithaca is the destination for those seeking themselves, the remote corner where they can reflect on their experiences, reorder their thoughts and refresh themselves before resuming their journey. We recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days on the island to explore and savor it at a slow pace as it deserves but, if you want to visit it in a day, there is the possibility of taking a day tour departing from Kefalonia. It will be enough to enchant you and make you want to return as soon as possible, just like Ulysses.
PALIKI, A TREASURE TO DISCOVER AT THE END OF THE SUMMER
Kefalonia is among the ten largest islands in Greece and the largest of the Ionian Islands, so large that it has regions with their own landscape and cultural identity. On the western coast is the Paliki peninsula, separated from the main body of the island by a long, narrow bay. Lixouri, the main center of Paliki, can be reached both by ferry from Argostoli and by road with a panoramic route that runs along the inside of the bay revealing the unique beauty of the Livadi plain.
PET-FRIENDLY KEFALONIA, THE FOURLEGGED ISLAND
When we moved to Kefalonia we were pleasantly surprised to realize that traveling with your pet in Greece is not only possible, but very pleasant. Local hospitality has always been reserved to our dog too, who has never been denied a bowl of fresh water at the restaurant, as well as the possibility of walking everywhere undisturbed and enjoying the beach just like us. There are clearly some rules to follow and some precautions to keep in mind, which we tell you about here to prepare your trip with the whole family, with 2 and 4 legs, without worries.
STARGAZING IN KEFALONIA: THE FIRST DARK SKY PARK IN GREECE
I had the privilege of growing up in a quiet mountain village where children in the evening could sit on the street, still warm from the sun, and look at a dark blue sky full of stars. I loved starry nights, even more when I was lucky enough to see a shooting star or fireflies. Today, reading an article on Mount Ainos and its entry in the IDSP (International Dark Site Park) register, I realized that, although I have grown up and I am in a place totally different from the one I was born in, I am still among the lucky few who in Summer can admire incredible starry nights (as well as bats, birds and other wonderful creatures that populate the night) simply by raising their eyes to the sky. Although in many places today it is no longer possible to clearly see the stars and constellations due to light pollution, throughout the world there are parks certified by the NGO International Dark-Sky Association which are committed to conserving and safeguarding the natural darkness of sky and with it to protect the environments and species closely linked to it.
KOMBOLOI AND BEGLERI
Many of you will already be familiar with komboloi (κομπολόι) and in Greece will have seen it flowing, grain after grain, between the fingers of men of all ages in cafés and on the streets. For those who are wondering what we are talking about, the komboloi is a string closed in a circle on which pearls of different materials are strung. It is a pastime, if necessary a rosary, a precursor of modern anti-stress but also and above all a powerful cultural symbol which was and still remains a predominantly male accessory.
HOW DO YOU DRINK GREEK COFFEE? HOT OR COLD, TAKE IT SLOW
You will have noticed it during your travels in Greece: there is no drink more loved and consumed than coffee. Having a coffee here has nothing to do with the fast and mechanical gestures with which we usually bring a cup of espresso to our mouths before hastily continuing with our activities.
